With its No. 1 quarterback and top two running backs banged up, fifth-ranked Kamehameha wanted to get backup QB Thomas Yam a lot of work on Saturday afternoon.
The 6-foot-1 sophomore answered with the most prolific passing game in school history, throwing for 323 yards and four touchdowns in a 53-0 pasting of Baldwin at Kunuiakea Stadium.
Yam completed 70 percent (21-for-30) of his throws and played only one snap in the second half, throwing his third scoring pass to Kumoku Noa, who had seven catches for 197 yards.
"Honored," was Yam’s one-word response when told he surpassed Caleb Spencer’s 312-yard passing performance against Punahou in 2002. "We took what the defense gave us."
Yam played for injured senior Fatu Sua-Godinet, who will also miss next week’s game at Hilo with a knee strain.
Not only was he effective through the air, but he carried the ball six times for 70 yards and was the Warriors’ leading rusher.
Kamehameha’s running backs combined for 71 yards on 26 carries.
"Our plan was to try to get (Yam), a sophomore, a lot of work because he’s going to be a guy we will need to use a lot and he needs experience throwing the ball," Kamehameha coach Doug Cosbie said. "It was a combination of being thin at running back and needing to get reps for our quarterback."
Yam completed all of his passes to five different receivers, with Chris Ah Mook Sang catching a 6-yard touchdown pass and Jaykob Cabunoc making seven grabs for 36 yards.
Kamehameha’s defense gave Yam plenty of reps, holding Baldwin to 59 total yards.
The Bears, who started sophomore Chayce Akaka at quarterback, went three-and-out on their first four drives and picked up their first first down on a 21-yard pass from Akaka to Shawn Silva. Baldwin’s only other big play came on a 34-yard throw from Akaka to Kelii Kaiama late in the first half.
Akaka was 6-for-17 for 61 yards and two interceptions.
Kamehameha added its final score on Desmond Unutoa’s 35-yard interception return.
"I think we’re a talented football team but we’re not very disciplined," Cosbie said. "Against the really good teams, you’ve got to do the little things well and we’re not doing that.
"I think we’ll get there — we’ve got some time before league — but we’ve got a lot of stuff to take care of."
After the game next week at Hilo, which lost 59-0 to No. 3 Punahou on Saturday, Kamehameha has 21 days off before opening ILH play against No. 2 Saint Louis.